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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul later this month.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.